Machinists
Pay and outlook shown for
New workers start near $37,660; experienced workers reach $84,130. About 750 people do this job in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX.
Job outlook
Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.
- Employment change
- +5.4%
- Openings a year
- 94
- Employed in 2024
- 885
Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent · Training: Long-term on-the-job training
Alamo Colleges programs that lead here
No program is mapped to this career yet. Many careers start from a transfer pre-major or a related program.
Browse all programsSkills this career uses
The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.
- Operation and Control3.4
- Operations Monitoring3.3
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
What the work is
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
- Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
- Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
- Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
- Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
- Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
- Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
Education people in this job have
Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.
- High school or less50%
- Certificate33%
- Some college17%
Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.
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